Advertisment

'Saddened by violence': Mahindra Group to recruit Agniveers

author-image
Shagun
New Update
'Saddened by violence': Mahindra Group to recruit Agniveers
Advertisment
New Delhi, June 20: Saddened by the violence over the Agnipath recruitment scheme, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra has announced to recruit "trained and capable" Agniveers. Taking to Twitter, Anand on Monday said: "Saddened by the violence around the Agneepath program. When the scheme was mooted last year I stated and I repeat-the discipline and skills Agniveers gain will make them eminently employable. The Mahindra Group welcomes the opportunity to recruit such trained, capable young people."
Advertisment
anandmahindra On June 14, the Centre launched the Agnipath scheme which allows Indian youths to serve in the regular cadre of the Armed Forces for a period of four years. Following the announcement, protests erupted in various states including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Jharkhand and Assam. As the agitation intensified in some places, protestors went on the vandalise public places, set trains on fire, torched vehicles and damaged both private and public properties. This year, 46,000 Agniveers will be recruited, but a leading military officer predicts that number would rise to 1.25 lakhs in the near future. All new recruits to the Armed Forces must be between the ages of 17.5 and 21 years old. However, in response to protests, the Central government raised the upper age limit for Agniveer recruitment from 21 to 23 years for the 2022 recruitment cycle, citing the failure to perform the recruitment in the previous two years. Centre extends age limit for Agnipath scheme from 21 to 23 years amid  protests Also Read | 
Advertisment
Bharat Bandh: States on high alert amid protests against 'Agnipath' While the government claims that the 'Agnipath' scheme provides a golden opportunity for young people to join the defence system and serve their country, Congress has said that the recruitment policy is controversial, poses multiple risks, undermines the armed forces' long-standing traditions and ethos, and there is no guarantee that soldiers recruited under the scheme will be better trained and motivated to defend the country. Agniveers will be enrolled for a total of four years of service, including training. Only 25% of the Agniveers will be retained or re-enlisted in the regular cadre after four years, based on merit, willingness, and medical fitness. These 25% Agniveers will then be re-elected for another 15-year term. Centre extends age limit for Agnipath scheme from 21 to 23 years amid  protests As the demonstrations continue, a senior Army official reaffirmed on Sunday that the scheme will not be overturned, claiming that it is the "only progressive step to make the country young." Meanwhile, on June 24, registration for the first batch of Agniveers under the Centre's new Agnipath recruitment scheme will commence, and the online examination will take place on July 24. Also Read | Shooting at Washington DC, police officer among those hit -PTC News-
latest-news protest agniveers mahindra-group anand-mahindra agnipath-scheme
Advertisment

Stay updated with the latest news headlines.

Follow us:
Advertisment